We are at a critical juncture in the development of the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (Dietary Guidelines). The U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Health and Human Services (HHS) are right now working to finalize the Dietary Guidelines and the associated MyPlate nutrition guide.

The stakes are high. These new Dietary Guidelines will, for the next five years, determine federal nutrition messaging and set important standards for federal nutrition programs like school meals. Billions of federal dollars are spent every year on these programs to provide Americans with advice on and access to wholesome, nutritious foods like milk and dairy products.

IDFA and its member have spent the past several years engaging with the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC), USDA, and HHS, urging them to affirm the unrivaled contribution made by dairy foods and remind Americans that a healthy diet includes three daily servings of low-fat and fat-free dairy. We've also highlighted important scientific, peer-reviewed literature and research demonstrating favorable outcomes related to the consumption of dairy at all fat levels. Our goal is to ensure the Dietary Guidelines recognize and incorporate accurate references and messages about the consumption of dairy at all fat levels.

Unfortunately, the DGAC omitted the important body of evidence on dairy at all fat levels from its scientific report, so we need USDA and HHS to remedy this omission.

Please take two minutes to visit the IDFA Campaign Center and send a preformatted letter to officials at USDA and HHS. Please also share this campaign with your colleagues. It is vital they hear from as many voices within our industry as possible.

With your support, we can make the case for Dietary Guidelines based on science, and nothing more.

Please contact IDFA staff experts Michelle Matto, MPH, RDN, and Joseph Scimeca, Ph.D., with any questions. To learn more about the health benefits of dairy products, visit IDFA.org/dairynourishes.